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Monthly Archives: September 2014

We have all been there, need to go shopping but have got the kids in toe…..if only there was another solution. Well now there is, thanks to Displays 2 Go and Eventful Kids. The concept is called “drop while you shop” allowing you to drop your kids off whilst you shop.

At Displays 2 Go we like to think of ourselves as the ‘Can Do Guys’ so when we were asked to come up with a solution for a portable child care centre that could be set up in shopping malls around Australia we were like kids in a lolly shop. Ideas started flowing and we started creating. Take a look at what we came up with….

Background

Eventful Kidsprovides portable creativity centres for children within a shopping centre environment, which allows parents and caregivers to enjoy their shopping knowing their kids are in a safe and fun environment.

The “drop while you shop” creative centre concept offers a range of crafts and activities for children, including items such as:

a range of craft activities (free play and “how to”)

activity mats and construction toys

a library corner

puppets and story boards

costumes and dress ups

musical instruments

The Challenge

There were several challenges with this project, which all needed careful consideration.

First, the entire structure had to be transported and assembled by only two people in a limited time period, just prior to the booth being open for business.

Second, the structure had to be entirely child friendly with no sharp edges and no possibility of the structure falling over.

Thirdly, we all know how much kids love having fun so the solution needed to be easy to clean and built tough, to withstand up to 20 young boys creating havoc at any one time.

Fourthly, the booth needed to be secure so that once children entered they were in no danger of getting out without adult supervision.

Last but not least, the entire booth had to actually appeal to kids and make them want to go in there; and more importantly happy to be left there – sometimes the hardest test of all!

The Solution

To ensure easy transportability and assembly we designed the booth using a modular system, with no single element being bigger than a metre wide and a framework that allowed for some shape customisation.

To make sure kids could see out, and mums & dads could look in on their kids, we included various shatter-proof clear polycarbonate modules. We created a simple entry and exit system to ensure no-one went missing and ensured everything could be easily wiped clean by using vinyl graphics panels.

But how did we ensure kid-appeal? First we involved a few kids in the design phase, checking they liked the graphics. The we tested the interactive elements for kid appeal, before including fun components such as squiggly mirrors, join-the-dots puzzles, and laminated printed boards for drawing on.

On the outside we used bright graphics panels to grab attention, whilst the clear polycarbonate panels allowed potential users to pre-vet the the booth.

There is nothing as scary and rewarding at the same time as working with kids – our solution had to be right first time with no room for mistakes. And it had to be an absolute hit with children and adults alike, because we wanted parents to be OK with leaving their kids and kids to be OK with being left by their parents! A tough brief, but well delivered by Displays 2 Go.

The Testimonial

“Because our move in times are so tight we needed a quality system that was simple and quick to assemble. The Displays 2 Go design excels in this area and revolutionises the way we set up.

All our centres have to be hard wearing and robust, yet look fantastic and exciting for the children. Our clients and staff alike all love the outstanding finish which makes us look fabulous!

From a client perspective, it is clear that you all work as a great team, and everyone knows what is going on. I feel like we have a relationship with someone in each area of your business, and everyone is pleasant to deal with, professional and knowledgable.”

Many customers don’t understand the terms plinth, pedestal or podium, and we’re often asked to explain what we mean. It’s understandable as they’re quite similar really but used in slightly different ways.

The Plinth

Technically speaking, a plinth is a heavy base supporting a statue or vase. Consider for a moment those statues you’ve seen in museums and grand homes featuring perhaps a king or queen set in marble.

In the world of Display, a plinth is a simple stand onto which a product might be placed as a means to display it, draw attention to it or place it at waist height. Display plinths tend not to be heavy, unless they need to carry a heavy object or because they’re made from timber for aesthetic reasons. Our basic plinths weigh just a few kilos each, but will support over 70kg in weight themselves.

As these plinths get bigger and higher, then they also serve as a desk or small demonstration table. As part of an exhibition kit, these plinths are often placed at the front of the stand as a meet-and-greet station.

At Displays 2 Go we have a whole range of these plinths, made from various materials and in various sizes and configurations.

If we look at what materials we use, you have the option of covering your plinth with a branded wrap, usually made from graphic vinyl and attached to the plinth using hook and eye velcro. This is a cost effective solution but the vinyl panel needs to be stored carefully and can suffer from wear and tear quite quickly. These basic plinths are made from 5mm extruded polypropylene, whilst the tops are made from 12mm melamine mounted to MDF.

The next option to consider is a fabric based plinth. These feature a 360 degree fabric wrap placed over a lightweight frame with a solid top. They’re washable, super lightweight and last for years. They fit into a small case so they’re easy to transport as the plinths fold flat and require no tools to assemble. Often we sell these as part of a total fabric based exhibition solution, including a branded SuperWall at the back and then these plinths with a consistent complimentary design.

If the plinth is not going to feature high impact graphics, then we also stock a range of timber, glass, mirror finish and acrylic plinths, plus options to light an acrylic plinth to really stand out from the crowd!

The Pedastel

The pedestal tends to be a number of plinths working together, either joined or placed next to one another. For instance, Displays 2 Go offers four plinths at differing heights which together make up our Staircase Display Pedastel, or a number of hexagonal plinths which fit together to form the Hexagon Pedastel. The pedestal is perfect as a walk around display, in a window or against a wall.

The Podium

Sometimes the pedestal is not very high and is designed to be a branded box to stand on. We call these podiums, and we can create these for events and media moments too. We can make them any size and with specific branding that you require.

At Displays 2 Go we can custom build any design you require, so give us a call and let our expert team guide you into what would best suit your campaign. You could also take a look at our Pinterest showroom for more ideas and images.

Promotional flags and banners are a staple of the display industry, and a useful feature of any exhibition kit. As well as selling them individually, we also often include them as part of an exhibition or conference kit.

Why are promo flags important?

Promo flags give your brand impact by displaying well above head height. They’re incredibly flexible in how they can be used – choose to site them inside or outside, wherever you think they’ll make the most impact. With a promo flag you have more options on where to place your brand, in order to get the most passing foot traffic. You might be exhibiting in the middle of a long aisle in a trade show, but you can place you flag at the junction to capture the attention of more people. At a busy conference you may want to let delegates know of your presence as they’re walking in, so they actively seek you out once inside the hall.

So, the humble promotional flag should be seen as a piece of moveable media which can be tactically placed to drive brand awareness. It’s your brand’s local, portable banner/billboard. Never underestimate its usefulness.

Considerations when buying a flag

You need a promo banner that is instantly recognisable, has the ability to direct your customers and that will last against the rigours of our weather.

You should consider how much your promotional flag is going to be used. Will it be brought out for a limited time to support a promotion or event? Or will it be fluttering outside your store 5 days a week? Consider carefully not only the materials being used but also the finishing such as any ropes and stitching. All stitching edges are NOT made equal, and when the wind strengthens it’s often these edges that are the first to go. In Australia, we have very high UV levels so its important that the flag you choose is built for our environment, with UV stabilised fabric, inks and thread. If you’re shopping around and see a bargain, be sure to ask about the materials used; that bargain buy may quickly rot in our weather.

Your promotional flag needs to be highly visible, which means it needs to stand up tall and feature highly impactful print. At Displays 2 Go we use dye sublimation printing to ensure the graphics really ‘pop’ – the beauty of this is that the technique is really eco-friendly, more vibrant and takes longer to fade.

Consider how you affix your flag and keep it standing up. At Displays 2 Go, we have a choice of seven different bases – yes that right seven! Various spikes, posts, water bases, wall fixings and even tow bar mounts! It’s these options which make our flags different, and it’s why we believe they’re one of the best in the market.

How will your flag be viewed? Do you need it to be printed on both sides? There really is no need to print on both sides if one side will never be seen, so really think about its location and save yourself some dollars!

We’ve all seen traditional flags get themselves in a muddle and wrap themselves around their flagpole etc. Suddenly you can’t see what’s on them. That’s why promotional style flags come in various shapes. Some are designed to maximise the space you have to print your graphics on, like our Flag 2 Go or Blade 2 Go options. Others are designed to look a little different and stand out from the crowd like our Twist & Shout rotating banner. Many use a different shape to reduce annoying ‘flutter’ noise (like the Fin 2 Go or Teardrop Banner). We have a range of 9 different promotional flag and banners. Talk to us about your requirements and we’ll be sure to have just the right solution.

If your flag is only going to be used on a few occasions a year, then you’ll be grateful that Display 2 Go’s flags ALL come with a strong carry bag and pockets for protecting your printed fabrics. There’s nothing more annoying than grabbing the flag, thinking you’ve got all the bits and then discover at your event that half of them are missing. Keep everything all in one place, neat and tidy, in a bag.

Imagine the scenario…you arrive at your event and the guy next door to you has a really big stand. Your stand is completely blocked by his. You pull out your flag knowing it’s going to be about as much use as slippers on a snake! Ah, but you’d forgotten that the flag you bought from Displays 2 Go has a pole with various height settings. You simply erect your flag to the highest setting and stand out from the crowd! Perfect. Who says size doesn’t matter?

Caring for your flag

It’s important that you look after your flag – you don’t want it looking battle-worn in a matter of days or hours. Make sure your flag isn’t banging against an object when operational – this is sure to wear it out fast. Nearby rough brickwork can play havoc with the fabric of a flag. Have a look around to make sure there’s nothing for the flag to snag on when the wind picks up and begins to flutter.

Flags can be washed in a normal household washing machine set on a cold wash with normal mild detergents. Do not soak or dry clean your flags, and avoid the use of soda or bleaching alkali. Hang the flag or graphic to dry immediately after the wash – do not leave it rolled up. If necessary you can use a cool or warm iron to remove any creases. Even if the flag starts fraying it can sometimes be trimmed back and re-hemmed, but it’s good to catch these issues early and nip them in the bud. If you see this happening with your flag, give us a call and we’ll talk you through some options.